UPDF Political Commissar Maj. Gen. Heary Matsiko addressing the press at Uganda Media Centre
By George Bukenya
As Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) prepares to celebrate Tarehe Sita early next year, the commemoration will be preceded by several activities in Kigezi Sub-region which will commence on 2nd December 2025.
The CDF will officially launch the two-week-long commemoration activities next Tuesday at Mbuya UPDF headquarters.
This was announced by the institution’s Chief Political Commissar, Maj.Gen. Henry Matsiko at Uganda Media Centre today. He said that UPDF will be marking its 45th anniversary in style while showcasing its achievements in a two-week-long series of activities.
Gen. Matsiko said that Kigezi Region has a historical significance dating back to the days of FRONASA which gave birth to National Resistance Army then UPDF after the propagating of the 1995 Uganda Constitution.
“ We chose Kigezi Sub-Region to host next year’s Tareh Sita commemoration because we want to remember and honour our fallen comrades who were brutally murdered by Idi Amin’s regime because they openly talked and criticised the regime,’’ Gen Matsiko explained.
He mentioned individuals who paid their ultimate price while fighting for the revolution, like the late James Karambuzi, Joseph Itwale, the former Makerere University vice chancellor Prof. Kalimuzo and others who contributed to the struggle, like the late Bishops Kivenjere and Barnabas Kabalemaana .
The Gen, while emphasising the significance of the Kigezi Sub-region in her contribution to the revolutionary struggle, also mentions surviving individuals, such as former Prime Ministers Dr Ruhakana Rugunda and Amama Mbabazi.
Col. Dr Francis Xavier Bakahena, the head of the UPDF medical Department, said that among the activities to be carried out will be free medical surgery and general medical care to the six districts that make up the sub-region, including dental and Eye surgery and the provision of optical glasses.
According to Col. Dr. Bakahena, the surgery camp will be staged in only two districts of Kabale and Kigezi, whereas the general medical care will be in all the mentioned districts in addition to the mobile health services.
The medic also said that UPDF will also provide vector control services, Health Education, and donation of mattresses and beds to various health centres, especially to wards for expectant mothers.
Maj. Eng. Albert Mukama on behalf of the engineering section said that UPDF will also construct five housing units, bridges and a nine classroom block and six sanitation facilities within the municipalities.